Ruptured giant intrathoracic lipoblastoma in a 4-month-old infant: CT and MR findings

Abstract

Background. We describe a 4-month-old infant with a ruptured intrathoracic lipoblastoma arising from the parietal pleura and associated with a pleural effusion.¶Objective. The clinical presentation was rapidly evolving respiratory distress. The chest radiograph showed a large mass and a pleural effusion in the right thoracic cavity. CT demonstrated an inhomogeneous low-attenuation mass which was 7 cm in diameter and which showed areas of enhancement after intravenous contrast medium. MRI showed a fatty intrathoracic mass with intratumoral streaks and whorls, which were attributed to loose fibrovascular connective tissue on pathological examination.¶Results. Thoracotomy and pathological examination revealed a ruptured intrathoracic lipoblastoma arising from the parietal pleura.¶Conclusion. The pleural effusion might have suggested rupture of the tumour.